Behind every successful man is a woman, behind her is his wife.
Groucho MarxRead
Firefly: Where is your husband? Mrs. Teasdale: Why, he's dead. Firefly: I'll bet he's just using that as an excuse. Mrs. Teasdale: I was with him to the very end. Firefly: Hmmph. No wonder he passed away. Mrs. Teasdale: I held him in my arms and kissed him. Firefly: Oh I see. Then, it was murder.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote humorously addresses the absurdity of mundane conversations about death and relationships.
In this exchange, Groucho Marx employs wit and sarcasm to comment on the nature of human relationships and the often awkward discussions surrounding death. The humor arises from the interplay of Mrs. Teasdale's sincere affection for her deceased husband and Firefly's quick-witted, cynical remarks that suggest a darker and more comedic interpretation of her words, ultimately highlighting the absurdities of life and death.
Themes
HumorDeathRelationshipsWitAbsurdity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of humor in coping with loss.
More from Groucho Marx
All quotes →John you say you met in an elevator. Was the elevator going up at the time, or down? This is very important, for going down in an elevator one always has that sinking feeling and for all I know you may have this confused with love. If you were going up, it is clearly a case of love at first sight.
Groucho MarxRead
Chico: "Here's the book, it's a dollar" Groucho: "Here's a ten, and shoot the change." Chico: "I don't have change I'd have to give you nine more books.
Groucho MarxRead
Gentlemen, Chicolini here may talk like an idiot, and look like an idiot, but don't let that fool you: he really is an idiot. I implore you, send him back to his father and brothers, who are waiting for him with open arms in the penitentiary. I suggest that we give him ten years in Leavenworth, or eleven years in Twelveworth.
Groucho MarxRead
Die, my dear? Why that's the last thing I'll do!
Groucho MarxRead
Let there be dancing in the streets, drinking in the saloons, and necking in the parlor.
Groucho MarxRead
Similar quotes
Thou weedy elf-skinned canker-blossom!
William ShakespeareRead
My sense of humor has saved me more than a couple of times in my life.
John PrineRead
We have met the enemy and have asked them over later for drinks and dancing.
Oliver Hazard PerryRead
If I existed 200 years ago, all the other farmers in my community would be like, 'That guy is worthless! He's sitting on a rock, jumping up like a frog, coming up with weird concepts and ideas, making faces, and combing his hair into a giant pastry.' It's a good thing I was born in this century, when superfluous television seems to be part of the economy.
Conan O'BrienRead
It is unthinkable for a Frenchman to arrive at middle age without having syphilis and the Cross of the Legion of Honor.
Andre GideRead
So long and take it easy, because if you start taking things seriously, it is the end of you.
Jack KerouacRead